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Traumatic Childhood Events and Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • S.I. : Emotion Regulation and Psychiatric Comorbidity in ASD
  • Published:
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Abstract

Traumatic childhood events are associated with a wide range of negative physical, psychological and adaptive outcomes over the life course and are one of the few identifiable causes of psychiatric illness. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at increased risk for both encountering traumatic events and developing traumatic sequelae; however, this topic has been understudied. This review considers the rationale for examining traumatic events and related symptomology in individuals with ASD and summarizes the limited research on this topic. A conceptual framework for understanding the interplay of ASD, trauma and traumatic sequelae is proposed and recommendations for future research presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Connor Morrow Kerns & Craig J. Newschaffer

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA

    Steven J. Berkowitz

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  1. Connor Morrow Kerns
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  2. Craig J. Newschaffer
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Kerns, C.M., Newschaffer, C.J. & Berkowitz, S.J. Traumatic Childhood Events and Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 3475–3486 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2392-y

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